Expand your skills to stay marketable

Published on Thursday, 14 Jul 2011

Illustration: Bay Leung

It's no great secret that the more skills you have, the more employable you are. So no matter how far up the career ladder you may be, it is important to develop your marketable skills. By doing so, you not only create added value for your employer, but also validate your current experience. You should start by identifying the skills you need to improve, and choose your next steps accordingly.

Update your formal education Why not pursue a master's degree? There is plenty of viable choices, such as distance learning, online classes or part-time study. This is worth considering if you work in an industry that requires specific knowledge and skill sets, such as health care or engineering.

Take a less formal routeEnrol in short-term classes, seminars and workshops, many of which offer certification options. This is ideal if you want to update transferable skills such as IT, critical thinking or even presentation skills.

Expand your skill setYou can engage in extra-curricular activities such as an industry newsletter or blog. Or volunteer your expert services to a charity or local non-profit organisation. This would be well-suited to those looking to learn the art of project management or demonstrate their managerial skills.

Request for an internal transfer to a different location You will learn another language and observe how other offices operate. Upon your return, you could integrate some of the new systems or policies you have experienced.